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4 PLAN JERICHO March 24, 2016 AIR RCEF MAKING A SPLASH Our Hercules link Army and Navy off Perth coast, Eamon Hamilton reports S PECIAL Forces can now use a C-130J Hercules to deliver an airdrop rigid-hull inflatable boat (ADRHIB) at sea. The first delivery of an ADRHIB by a C-130J from No. 37 Squadron was completed off the coast of Perth during Exercise Pegasus Moon, held between February 8-19. A C-17A Globemaster from No. 36 Squadron conducted a sequential drop of two ADRHIBs during the same exercise. Using either aircraft to deliver an ADRHIB provides greater flexibility to Special Forces working in maritime operations, according to CO 37SQN WGCDR Matt Cooper. “It’s beneficial for any operation to have additional options and flexibility,” WGCDR Cooper said. “Once in the water, personnel can use the ADRHIB to mount an operation against an objective at sea or conduct amphibious operations. “The C-130J is also able to airdrop several smaller zodiac marine craft and Special Forces personnel during a single pass.” The job of airdropping ADRHIBs once belonged to the C-130H, which was retired in 2012. The role was introduced to the C-17A, and now added to the C-130J as the aircraft continues its own role expansion. Under Plan Jericho, a C-130J’s ability to support land and maritime operations will expand even further. This was demonstrated during Exercise Pegasus Moon with the C-130J airdropping Special Forces and boats to rendezvous with a Navy submarine. “In the past, the communication from Navy vessels to a Hercules crew and embarked personnel was limited,” WGCDR Cooper said. “Upgrades to the C-130J will allow the crew and embarked personnel to access information, whether it’s from Navy vessels or Air Force surveillance aircraft.” “Special Forces on board a Hercules will have access to live picture of the battlespace and be able to conduct mission briefings right up until the airdrop.” The physical task of delivering an 11m ADRHIB is no small challenge. It requires the vessel to be mounted on a platform called a marine craft aerial delivery system (MCADS). The load weighs a total of 9.5 tonnes and leaves just 13cm of clearance from the C-130J’s cargo compartment ceiling. The job of ensuring the load is safely prepared and delivered falls to riggers and air dispatchers from the Australian Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron. WO2 Simon Joyce, an air dispatcher with 176AD SQN, said rigging the load began with acceptance and preparation of the ADRHIB for airdrop. “This includes the fitting of four G11B cargo parachutes and additional redundant parachute release systems, WO2 Joyce said. “Doing this enables the cargo pa chutes to safely release and clear the boat once in the water. “Once complete and inspected, the ADRHIB is then lifted onto the MCADS platform with a crane and the ADRHIB is secured to the platform for aerial delivery.” The airdrop of the load begins w an extraction parachute entering the air stream, and “pulling” the MCADS ADRHIB combo safely out the car bay. PTE Steven Nemet, an air dispatcher with 176AD SQN, said once the load was clear of the aircraft, the MCADS released actuators that allowed the ADRHIB to separate. “The ADRHIB enters the water underneath the descent parachutes, while the MCADS will enter the w and sink,” PTE Nemet said. “Alternatively, the MCADS can be fitted with flotation devices allowing for its recovery.” Above, a C-130J drops a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a training exercise. Below, air movements personnel from No. 25 Squadron load the inflatable boat into a C-130J at RAAF Base Pearce. Photos: CPL David Gibbs Special Forces personnel jump from a C-130J.